By Steven Goulding (@Gouldin87)
It’s fair to say that British boxing is currently booming. 2013 sees current world champions Carl Froch, Nathan Cleverly and Ricky Burns (an Englishman, a Welshman and a Scotsman… there’s a joke ready to happen if they should walk into a bar together), defending their world championships on home soil, while a host of British hopefuls are ready to travel far and wide in order to bring a world title back to Britain. Below I will take a look at the scheduled and potential fights, and attempt to give a completely unbiased opinion on the outcomes!
Gavin Rees v Adrien Broner:
‘The Rock’ finds himself a huge underdog against Adrien ‘The Problem’ Broner, when they meet at the Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City on the 16th February. The fight came as a bit of a surprise to everyone, even Rees himself although he took the fight without a moment’s hesitation. The Welshman has only lost once (37-1-1, 18 KO’s) and is a former world champion, although he has never faced a talent like Broner.
There is no denying that Rees is up against it here, but he has enough experience and determination to at least make Broner work for the win, hopefully meaning we would get to learn a bit more about ‘The Problem’. Rees has labelled Broner a ‘Mayweather wannabe’ and certainly isn’t travelling to America in order to roll over and take the pay-day. Will I be tipping Rees to win? No. Will I be cheering him on? 100%, boxing is a sport full of upsets and I will be rooting for ‘The Rock’ to shock the world.
Kell Brook v Devon Alexander:
‘Special’ Kell Brook will need to live up to his nickname when he takes on Alexander in Detroit on Febuary 23rd. Brook is the underdog here and although unbeaten in 29 (19 KO’s) he hasn’t fought anyone at Alexander’s level. Many have already written Kell off, “boxing is all about levels” they say, and that’s true, but everyone needs that one fight that defines that level, and I think this is Brook’s fight. Even if he loses, I strongly believe that Brook will prove that he belongs at world level.
Brook was dragged into a war by American Carson Jones last year, adding fuel to the fire of the doubters; however this perhaps provided the shock to the system that was needed, with Brook now looking in the best shape of his life. I believe Brook may just cause the upset in this one, of course he has a huge number of obstacles to overcome, Alexander’s experience, fighting away from home, the judges, the pressure but if he is to live up the tag of ‘Special K’, then it simply needs to be done.
Martin Murray v Sergio Martinez
Murray faces arguably the toughest ask of all our Brits. On April 27th he fights the world’s best Middleweight Sergio ‘Maravilla’ Martinez in his beloved Argentina for the first time in a decade. If you need me to put this in perspective for you, the fight was announced by the Argentinian president. Martinez recently won the sportsperson of the year award – beating the best footballer (sorry, soccer player!) in the world, Lionel Messi, such is his popularity, and the fight will take place in Buenos Aires in a stadium that will hold around 50,000 baying fans.
If ever the term ‘into the Lion’s den’ should be used in a sporting contest, it is here. After reading that you won’t be shocked to learn that Murray is another huge underdog, Murray proved he belongs at world level when he drew with Felix Sturm, again in his opponents backyard and is unbeaten in 26 fights, however this is yet another ‘level’ to step up to.
I hail from the same small northern town as Murray (St Helens, Merseyside) and at the moment we are only famous for Rugby and Glass, so believe me when I say I will be rooting for Martin to win this one! You don’t need me to explain why Martinez is favourite, that much is obvious so instead I will look at the positives for Murray. Murray has had a frustrating time since his draw with Felix Sturm, visa issues prevented a fight with Chavez Jr due to Murray’s past incarcerations (he is now a fully qualified youth worker) and potential fights with fellow Brits Mathew Macklin and Darren Barker failed to come to fruition.
Some other positives that should encourage Murray are that Martinez has just had knee and hand surgery, and isn’t getting any younger at 37, whereas Murray ‘hasn’t got many miles on the clock’ as stated by his promoter Ricky Hatton. One thing is certain, just like Rees and Brook, Murray isn’t travelling all that way to roll over and be a warm up fight for ‘Maravilla’, he is intending to spoil the homecoming and shock the world, and stranger things have happened. Win lose or draw, Murray deserves a lot of respect for walking into the lion’s den.
There are also many more potential British challengers ready to travel abroad for their chance. Light-Heavyweight Tony Bellew has one eye on Chad Dawson with a final eliminator for Dawson’s WBC title on March 30th, Ricky Burns takes on Miguel Vasquez in the same month, potentially setting up a showdown with Adrien Broner, Heavyweights Tyson Fury and David Price will be looking to break into the American market, while Mathew Macklin is rumoured to be lined up for a fight with Chavez Jr.
So there you have it America, you’ve been warned, the Brits are coming! Although just how successful we will be only time will tell.
Steven Goulding is editor of Thatsaknockout.co.uk
